The Browns addressed one of their needs on the offensive line by signing versatile veteran Paul McQuistan from the Seahawks.
McQuistan (6-6, 315) started 14 games last season for the Super Bowl champion Seahawks at left tackle (8) and left guard (6). He rotated at left guard in the Super Bowl. McQuistan has started 40 games for the Seahawks the past three seasons.
McQuistan visited the Browns last week and is expected to compete at right guard with Jason Pinkston and Garrett Gilkey for the starting job. Last year's starting right guard, Shawn Lauvao, signed a four-year contract with the Redskins as an unrestricted free agent.
GM Ray Farmer talked about McQuistan earlier Monday with reporters at the NFL Owners meetings in Orlando, Fla. before the signing was announced. Clearly, Farmer likes the depth he will bring to the offensive live.
"He has versatility," Farmer said. "The guy played a lot of tackle last year. He's played guard. The versatility is definitely intriguing and positive for us and it can make our minds rest easy in a lot of respects where he can possibly contribute. So that versatility is what we're more focused on than any one specific spot saying he's going to be this."
McQuistan, who will turn 31 on April 30, re-joins the Browns, where he spent part of the 2010 season, even though he didn't appear in a game for the team
In his ninth NFL season, he was originally a third-round draft choice of the Raiders in 2006 and played in Oakland until 2009. In his career, he has started 52 games at left tackle, left guard and right guard. ESPN reported the contract was for one year.
